Greyhounds Martin searches for puck luck
by Peter Ruicci (Independent Media) | Photo by Bob Davies
Brady Martin has heard the painful ringing sounds of rubber hitting iron a lot this season.
Ryan Dumoulin, the Soo Greyhounds video analyst and director of analytics, estimates the first-year centre has hit opposition posts or crossbars 15 times.
Head coach John Dean has placed the number of direct hits between 25-30.
Martin, an Elmira, Ont., native, offered a guess of between 15-20.
Whatever the number, the 16-year-old (2007 birth year) could have many more than the nine goals he’s produced through his first 43 OHL games.
Does he feel snakebit?
“No,” answered Martin, whose stat line also includes 14 assists and a plus-minus of plus-11. “The goals will come. You just have to be patient.”
Saying he does get a little frustrated at times, the six-foot, 180-pounder went on to discuss how he “just has to put more work in and dial in my shot a little better. I guess I could definitely have a few more, but it’s my first year and I’m not letting it get to me.”
“He could easily have 20 goals,” offered Dean, whose club is preparing for Wednesday’s road game in Sudbury (7:05 p.m.), before coming home to face Guelph on Friday (7:07 p.m.) and Windsor on Saturday (7:07 p.m.). “The number of chances he’s missed has been unbelievable, to be honest. It’s incredible. For a young guy to do that is difficult.”
However, those struggles have a positive side to them as well, the coach added.
“Long-term, this is great for him,” Dean said. “He’s going to go through moments in his career when he’s playing well and he’s not going to see the rewards.”
Whether Martin is scoring or not, the Hounds love the contributions made by a player they selected third overall in last April’s Priority Selections draft. Martin competes hard, is surprisingly strong, has a high IQ and combines both physicality and skill.
“He’s got sneaky speed, is strong as a bull and has an elite shot,” Dean continued. “He’s also an unbelievable human being and he’s so skilled and also physical. That’s so nice to have in your lineup.”
The Hounds coach spoke of how the coaching staff has been hard on Martin when it comes to playing away from the puck.
“Given the team we have this year, we want to play the right way and Marty has really embraced that,” Dean said. “He’s just gotten better and better and better.”
Martin scored a slick goal in Sunday’s 7-3 victory over Sarnia. With the Hounds up 4-3 in the second period, he bolted down the left wing and sent a backhand shot towards the goal, beating Sting netminder Nick Surzycia on the stick side.
One of the best parts of Martin’s game involves his ability to protect the puck, while using his body to shield it from defenders.
The rookie enjoys his role as a young power forward, but is looking to shoot more often, something Dean has stressed the importance of, during one-on-one conversations.
Asked what he’ll work on this summer, Martin spoke of how “everything has to get touched up. I have to get stronger and faster and make sure I’m better when I come back next season.”
Not so fast, said Dean.
The Soo coach said he believes Martin has the ability to be a real factor come this season’s playoffs.
“We’re excited,” the coach added. “He might be a guy who breaks out for us.”
The Greyhounds carry a 39-16-3-1 record into Sudbury, while the Wolves are 34-19-3-3.
The Soo trails Saginaw (44-15-0-1) by seven points in the race for first place in the West Division. The Hounds have nine regular season games remaining while the Spirit, on the road to visit Flint on Wednesday, has eight left.
“Sudbury is a super offensive team,” said Dean. “They’re dangerous in transition and dangerous off the rush. It’s always a tough game against them and we have to come ready to play.”
The Soo will be minus Travis Hayes (upper-body injury) and Caeden Carlisle (Game 2 of a two-game OHL suspension) on Wednesday. Marco Mignosa is questionable, listed as day-to-day with an upper-body injury.
